Dr. Martha Jo Edwards met with Kuwait University officials earlier this summer to discuss possible partnerships with MTSU’s Center for Health and Human Services.

While in Kuwait, Dr. Martha Jo Edwards, holder of the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services at MTSU, discussed possible partnerships with Kuwait University officials. From left are Dr. Hussein Al-Mahmoud, KU vice president, Edwards and Dr. Abdul-Latif Al-Bader, university president. (photo submitted)

Edwards, who is the director of the CHHS and holder of the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services at MTSU, said Kuwaiti officials have been particularly interested in the MTSU center’s allied-health supply and demand model, which would be modified for the Persian Gulf nation’s population.

“We discussed the potential for shared online courses in community and public health and student recruitment into MTSU’s Ph.D. and master’s degrees in health and human performance,” Edwards said of her trip to Kuwait City. “We also discussed their need for advanced post primary certification in medical imaging, clinical laboratory sciences and nursing, and our role in facilitating a connection to those programs here in the United States.”

KU, which comprises four campuses with more than 3,800 employees, reported its most recent enrollment at 28,234 students in 15 colleges. Edwards was a founding member of KU’s Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and Nursing in 1983. In addition to bringing a $250,000 contract with KU with her when she came to MTSU, Edwards has continued to provide Kuwait University with consultation and expertise.

— Tom Tozer (ttozer@ mtsu.edu)